Liquid dispenser with relief valve opening to provide uniform drainage

ABSTRACT

A container for liquids such as soft drinks, and the like is provided with a relief bore valve which is formed as a small scribed area at the top of the container. When the ring-pull tab of the container is depressed, it will puncture the scribed area to form the relief bore valve. This will slowly release pressurized carbonation within the container, thereby avoiding the usual explosive release of gas and liquids. Upwardly lifting the ring-pull tab in the reverse direction will then puncture the larger, scribed area for drinking use. Use of the relief bore valve also enables a more uniform, uninterrupted drainage of the liquid while drinking, while still maintaining most of the original carbonation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and improved container for liquids, including beverages, and the like. More specifically, the container of this invention provides a simple, small relief valve bore which is scribed onto the top of the container. The relief valve is punctured open by simply depressing the ring-pull tab of the container. The small size of the relief valve bore enables a slow release of carbonation from the container in a controlled fashion, rather than the usual explosive release accompanied by liquid and carbonation. Following a downward depression opening of the relief valve bore, upward movement of the ring-pull tab will then puncture the larger drink opening or pouring spout of the container. During consumption, the small relief bore reduces expansion and contraction of the liquid. This in turn enables a uniform removal of the liquid from the container during the drinking process, without problems usually associated with a non-uniform emptying of the container. Also, use of the relief valve bore of this invention results in a reduced loss of carbonation and a better quality of beverage to the end of consumption.

The relief valve of the invention is easily scribed onto the top of the container during the manufacturing process of this invention. Typically, the relief valve bore opening of this invention may be sized about ¼″-⅜″, for carbonation beverages, but may be varied depending on the viscosity of other liquids therein. Moreover, the relief valve bore of this invention still retains utility in terms of uniformly dispensing liquids therefrom, whether or not the contained liquid is carbonated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an upper, perspective view of a container of this invention bearing a scribed area on the top of the can prior to an opening sequence;

FIG. 2 is an upper, perspective view of the container following puncturing of the scribed area to form the relief valve bore of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view in side elevation taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view in side elevation taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an upper, perspective view of a container of this invention showing the container following puncturing thereby forming the relief valve bore and pouring spout;

FIGS. 6 a-6 c illustrate different sized shapes of the relief valve bore; and,

FIG. 6 d illustrates a different relief bore valve configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The container 10 of this invention is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, and includes a sidewall 11 top portion 12, and an inclined shoulder 13 joining the top and sidewall. As shown in FIG. 1, onto the top surface 14 of the container is mounted a ring-pull tab 15, providing perforation flanges 15 a and 15 b. The ring-pull tab is formed onto the top surface 14 by a stamping process. The ring-pull tab is moveable in two directions around a pivot 15 c, as shown by the double arrow. A relief valve bore scribe 16 and a pouring spout scribe 17 are both formed onto the top surface 14, usually by a stamping process.

In FIG. 2, a downward depression movement of the ring-pull tab 15 in the direction shown by the double arrow will cause the perforation flange 15 a to puncture the relief bore scribe 16 and form the relief bore valve 18 of this invention. Puncturing of the pouring spout scribe 17 has not yet taken place; FIG. 5 illustrates the formed pouring spout. As shown in FIG. 5, the can 10 is initially punctured at the relief bore scribe 16 by the perforation flange 15 a to form the relief bore valve 18. The can is then punctured at the pouring spout scribe 17 by the perforation flange 15 b to form a pouring spout 19.

After the can 10 is emptied, the relief bore valve 18 still remains as a vestige of the can, and hence it will not become waste material, the accumulation of which could become a disposal problem; obviously, the relief bore valve 18 is a recyclable component of the can.

The beverage can 10 of this invention is typically constructed of aluminum, but other materials might be used, such as containers of stiff cardboard or plastic which could be suitable for liquids of relatively high viscosity. These type of containers might hold carbonated or non-carbonated liquids. In the case of non-carbonated liquids, use of these containers could still benefit from uniform pouring characteristics. Such liquids might include motor oil, syrups, condiments such as ketchup, mustard, and so forth. 

1. A liquid dispenser means for containing carbonated and non-carbonated beverages, and the like, including: a.) a top portion providing a pouring spout scribe, a bore relief valve scribe means, and a pouring spout; b.) a ring-pull tab pivotally mounted on the top portion, a perforation flange means mounted on the pull-tab for depressing and puncturing the bore relief scribe means, thereby forming a bore relief valve means on the top portion, and a perforation flange defined on the ring-pull tab for upwardly pivoting the ring-pull tab to puncture the pouring spout scribe, and form a pouring spout, whereby; initially puncturing the bore relief scribe means prior to puncturing the pouring spout scribe slowly releases carbonation from the beverage, thereby retaining beverage carbonation and quality until consumption is terminated, while enabling a more uniform removal of liquid from the dispenser during consumption or pouring.
 2. The liquid dispenser means of claim 1, whereby the relief bore valve means enables removal of viscous, non-carbonated liquids from the liquid dispenser means.
 3. A ring-pull tab means for pivoting mounting on a top portion of a liquid dispenser means, the ring-pull tab means including a perforation flange means for initially depressing and puncturing into a scribe area means to form a relief valve means , the ring-pull tab means being then upwardly pivoted for subsequently puncturing a pouring spout scribe to form a pouring spout, thereby enabling a more uniform removal of liquid from the dispenser during consumption or pouring.
 4. The ring-pull tab means of claim 3, in which puncturing the scribe area means to form the bore relief valve means enables a slow release of carbonation from a beverage contained therein, thereby retaining beverage carbonation and beverage quality until consumption or pouring is terminated.
 5. A method for depressurizing a beverage can means containing a carbonated liquid, by providing a top portion means defining a scribe means for a bore relief valve means and defining a scribe for a pouring spout means, a ring-pull tab pivotally mounted on the top portion means, a perforation flange means mounted on the pull-tab for depressing and puncturing the bore relief scribe means, thereby forming a bore relief valve means on the top portion, and a perforation flange defined on the ring-pull tab for upwardly pivoting the ring-pull tab to puncture the pouring scribe and form the pouring spout, the method comprising: initially puncturing the bore relief scribe means to slowly release carbonation from the beverage, and subsequently puncturing the pouring spout scribe means to form the pouring spout, thereby retaining beverage carbonation and quality until consumption is terminated, while enabling a more uniform removal of liquid from the dispenser during consumption or pouring.
 6. The method of claim 5, comprising a ring-pull tab means for pivotally mounting onto the top portion of the beverage can means, the ring-pull tab means including a perforation flange means for initially depressing and puncturing the relief scribe means to form the relief valve means, the ring-pull tab means being then upwardly pivoted for subsequently puncturing the pouring spout scribe means to form the pouring spout. 